Julius Caesar

As I worked my way through Julius Caesar, I couldn’t help but have a feeling of familiarity. Somehow the way all of these Roman diplomats were talking behind each others’ backs was eliciting some deja vu. Then it hit me, they were acting like a bunch of high school girls. And I want to be … Continue reading Julius Caesar: The Original Mean Girl

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Act IV, Scene 1 Octavius, Lepidus, and Antony are making a list of people marked for death. Lepidus agrees to kill his brother, but only if Antony agrees to kill his nephew. He does and then sends Lepidus off on some sort of errand. With Lepidus out of the way, Antony makes his real feelings … Continue reading Julius Caesar Part 3

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Act II, Scene 1 Brutus calls for his servant, Lucius, who was sleeping soundly. Brutus wants a candle lit in his study, so Lucius runs off, leaving Brutus alone with his thoughts. Brutus acknowledges that he has no personal reason for killing Caesar. However, he worries what crowning Caesar will do to his nature. Great … Continue reading Julius Caesar Part 2

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Act I, Scene 1 The Roman people are celebrating in the streets and resident party poopers Flavius and Marullus are quite perturbed. They stop a group of tradesmen and ask why they aren’t working. They question why the carpenter doesn’t have his leather apron and rule on hand. They turn to another tradesmen. He’s a … Continue reading Julius Caesar Part 1

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The Best Shakespeare Scenes for Halloween Today’s the day, Halloween! It’s time for trick or treat and spooks and scares. What better way to celebrate than by reading some Shakespeare?! I know what you’re thinking “I have candy to eat. I don’t have time for Shakespeare.” Don’t be silly, of course you have time for … Continue reading Witches, Ghosts, and Murder Most Foul

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“Why would anyone, he asked himself, be drawn to a leader manifestly unsuited to govern, someone dangerously impulsive or viciously conniving or indifferent to the truth? Why, in some circumstances, does evidence of mendacity, crudeness, or cruelty serve not as a fatal disadvantage, but as an allure, attracting ardent followers? Why do otherwise proud and … Continue reading Book Review: Tyrant by Stephen Greenblatt